Feb. 21, 2006

Box Score

Radnor, PA-With Knights fans from far and wide jingling keys in support of their team, Neumann outlasted Immaculata 60-52 in the first round of the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference Tournament.

 

Things looked grim for the Neumann Knights after 10 turnovers and the inability to extend a lead to more than point in the first half sent the Neumann Knights into the locker-room with an eight point deficit. However, the Neumann Knights had no desire to end their season on a Tuesday night. During the intermission Head Coach Frank Farnese and his staff devised a defensive plan that would take the ball out of  the hands of key IU players and give Neumann the advantage. The team then reviewed Neumann's offensive style and how to capitalize on their strengths. Farnese then asked his players for four things; "Protect the ball, focus, have patience and know your limitations."  The Knights listened and responded. Neumann took to the court in the second half focused, composed and ready to take the Mighty out of the Immaculata Mighty Macs.

 

Senior Nellie Mixon scored six of Neumann's first 18 second half points, closing the gap on the Mighty Macs. Mary Kate Devine scored a lay-up at 10:59 to put Neumann on top 40-39. The Mighty Macs put forth a great effort taking a 52-49 lead at the 3:31 mark, but it was the Knights who scored the game's final 11 points over the last three minutes to turn a three-point deficit into the win.  Devine started the run with one of two free throws with 2:55 to play.  She then tied the game 41 seconds later with a jumper from the foul line. A time out called by Neumann gave Assistant Coach Erin Crawford a few seconds to set up the play that guided the team to victory. "Erin set up a double screen skip pass that when executed by our team, gave Syreeta Brown the opportunity to give us a four-point lead," stated Farnese. That lead was extended by a double set of free throws by Kirsten Patton and Nellie Mixon, giving the Knights the 60-52 PAC first round tournament victory.